Ryan Anthony and Michael Sachs, principal trumpet and coronet in the Cleveland Orchestra. Credit: Case Western Reserve University
A Cleveland Institute of Music grad widely regarded as one of the top trumpet players in the world, Ryan Anthony was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2012. Diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving, the guy played the National Anthem to open the annual Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game.

At the time of diagnosis, his bone marrow was 80 percent cancer cells.

And yet, he’s persevered and continues to perform in order to raise money for cancer research. He’s coming to Cleveland next week to work with local students and perform a benefit concert, Cancer Blows, at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at Severance Hall.

“Ryan finds the soul and spirit of music better than anyone I’ve ever heard on the trumpet,” says Gary Ciepluch, a CIM and CWRU professor and Anthony’s former teacher, in a press release.

After graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Anthony soloed with major orchestras around the world and performed with the Canadian Brass. He’s currently Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

This article appears in May 4-10, 2016.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.